Every country in this region has its own unique characteristics. However, regional trends see banks consolidating across the Middle East while in Africa, banking markets are growing rapidly and are nearly twice as profitable as the global average. A young population, strong mobile adoption and high speed internet access is changing the financial landscape at a rapid pace. Financial institutions and governments alike are driving digital adoption, from identity verification to cashless activities across rural and urban areas. While the gap between urban and rural services remains significant, there is no better time for ecosystem players to improve customer experience and reach using best of breed technologies, promoting the region as a global role model in digital finance.

BPC has a lengthy presence in MEA, pioneering groundbreaking initiatives that have created digital solutions for real life needs. From the first cashless transaction in Ghana and interoperability of the financial network in Algeria to the e-Dirham government project in the UAE and the one million customers signed up in just a year by Tyme Digital Bank in South Africa, the impact of SmartVista technology on people’s daily lives across the region has been considerable.

BPC has a long presence in MEA pioneering historical events that bridge real life needs to digital. From the first cashless transaction in Ghana, Interoperability of the financial network in Algeria, e-Dirham government project in the UAE or the 1 million-customer reach in a year at Tyme Digital Bank in South Africa, the impact the SmartVista technology has on people’s daily lives is tangible.

Digital banking is expanding rapidly across the Middle East and Africa, driven by a youthful population who want to manage their finances the same way they use social media. In the Middle East, it is transitioning from internet banking to mobile, whereas in Africa; it is jumping straight from cash to mobile. Although more than 800 million people in the region do not have access to mobile internet, mobile broadband networks are expanding rapidly, and this growth represents a huge opportunity for digital banking.

BPC has designed its Digital Banking suite with customers in mind, making banking accessible through mobile-first, affordable and easy to enroll and use services. The SmartVista suite has proven its effectiveness with more than one million customers enrolled in South Africa by Tyme Bank and the launch of TONIK bank to serve remote populations in Asia.